Green Cllrs secure deal for fairer, greener Highlands
Green councillors in the Highlands have secured a budget deal that will deliver more support and funding for local nature, active travel and an officer to make Climate Change Impact Assessments for local communities.
This is in part being funded by increasing council tax on second and holiday homes to 300%, raising vital funds and helping to tackle the saturation of second homes and the shortage of affordable housing in the region. There will also be an increase to 250% for long-term empty homes, which will go towards a loan fund to bring them back into use. The power to do this was secured by Scottish Green MSPs in Holyrood.
The budget, which will be voted on today, also includes an extra £300,000 for the Green flagship Repair the Highlands fund, which provides funding for community projects focused on reducing waste, promoting repair, and building a circular economy. Other Green wins include money for access rangers and long distance path maintenance, and measures to secure biodiversity net gain areas for the future.
Green Cllr Chris Ballance said:
“Greens get things done, and we are proud of the deal we have secured for local people and services.
“While other opposition parties may simply chase headlines with their proposals, we sat down with the administration and negotiated to get Green proposals into the budget. We will therefore be voting for the budget, which should ensure it passes.
“We very much welcome a commitment to increase community transport, and money put aside to start to address recommendations of the Poverty and Equality Commission.
“With a housing emergency impacting our communities, we are proud that this is being funded in part by increasing council tax on second and holiday homes. This will help us to fund local services and we hope it will allow us to bring some of these homes back into circulation and ensure that they go to people who need them.
“Our hugely popular Repair the Highlands fund has already played a vital role in sharing repair skills in communities, reducing waste and saving money by reducing the need to buy new. We are delighted that the budget replenishes that pot of money for communities.”
Scottish Green MSP for Highlands and Islands, Ariane Burgess, said:
“I’m really proud that Green councillors have negotiated so well and delivered for our communities. They’ve taken a positive and constructive approach and it is Highland communities who are benefiting.
“I’m glad that councillors are using new powers to take action against the huge numbers of second and holiday homes and to support local people who want an affordable place to live by putting more homes in circulation.
“They have done all of this with only three councillors, with more Green voices we can do even more for local people and our environment.
“There is a lot more work that needs to be done from Holyrood to ensure that councils are well funded and empowered, and Green MSPs will be working to achieve that.”